Overview
This bus tour from Invergordon features highlights from Outlander, Culloden, Castles, Loch Ness & Nessie! It packs in a lot for one day's tour and is very affordable and good value for money. Our website contains full details of all tours and booking.
Our tours are specially put together after taking feedback from YOU. We have surveyed your desires and requests and put them together in our tours. Our guides will impart their knowledge of their local Highlands and answer any of your questions.
Please check the tour times on our website, as the times listed here are approximate. As a general rule tours leave 30 minutes to 1.5 hours after the arrival of the ship and return at least 1 hour before ship departure time. Please check our website which has the exact tour departure and return times for every tour.
We try to take this tour in a 4, 8 or 16 or 29 seater vehicle. Thank you
- Recommended by 98% of travelers
- Badge of Excellence
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
- Mobile ticket
What's included
Entrance to castle cost is included in your booking price.
Meeting and pickup
Travelers meet at the meeting point.
Meeting point
If docking at Invergordon pier disembark cruise ship, walk 2 minutes to the harbour gates, Invergordon IV180EH. It is signposted to where the independent tour guides wait or look for our Thistle Guide wearing purple and a Thistle lanyard.
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.
Good to know
You do not require any ticket for our tour. Once you book your name is on our schedule. Our tour guide will mark you down then you’ll be given a lanyard to show at the bus to enable access. We provide ticket for the castle later. It is very simple. Just turn up she tell us your booking lead name
What to expect
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Cawdor Castle
1 hour 30 min
Visit the famous ‘Macbeth’ Cawdor castle fully furnished and inhabited. It also has a maze and stunning gardens.
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Loch Ness
45 min
Going alongside the River Ness onto Loch Ness, where you need to be ready to spot our legend, Nessie, the Loch Ness Monster. Enjoy the comfortable ride by Loch Ness, which takes just around 30 minutes , searching for a sighting of Nessie herself. The last famous recorded sighting of her was a few decades ago, but we live in hope she will be photographed again soon. The scenery is second to none, so have your cameras ready. In recent months there has been footage circulated online of video recordings of an animal similar to Nessie playing in Loch Ness. We will stop at a Loch Ness lay-by for photos where you might want to paddle in Loch Ness or take a sample of the fresh Loch Ness water home with you. You’ll travel past the south of Loch Ness for 45 minutes on single track roads, enjoying it and waiting for a glimpse of Nessie.
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Inverness
1 hour 30 min
Visit the many shops of Inverness city centre, or visit the museum, the library, one of the ancient bars, such as the Gellions, opened in 1841, the oldest bar in the Highlands, or try the popular Irish bar Johnny Foxes. Rest up after your visit to the Inverness castle, or leave your husband/wife in a quaint cafe or bar, while you tour the shops!
The town visit can range from 45 minutes to 90 minutes depending on the day’s traffic situation. -
Inverness Castle
1 hour 30 min
Journeying onwards through the city of Inverness we return later to see the historic town hall and the Inverness Castle, which you may enter, walking up the 95 steps to the viewing gallery. You’ll be able to visit the many shops, cafes or historic bars. The Gellions is the oldest bar in the Highlands, dating back to 1841, serves a great local beer or a dram of local whisky,
Photos only of castle until 2024 as it is being completed renovated. -
Clava Cairns
15 min
We may sometimes visit Clava cairns which was the inspiration for the book and tv series Outlander
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Robertson’s Farm Shop Beauly
30 min
Visit a quaint farm shop near Beauly. Touch or feed Highland cows. Jamie and Katie-Morag wait you.
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Culloden Battlefield
30 min
Visit the famous historic battlefield featured in Outlander series and book plus the visitor centre.
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Loch Ness Region
30 min
See south Loch Ness and paddle in the clear waters.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the start time.
Times are local to the experience (Europe/London).
Additional Information
- There is a steep path to the waterfall and also 95 steps up to the Inverness castle viewing gallery. You may wait in the tea room instead of going to the waterfall and you do not have to go to the viewing gallery - you can wait elsewhere,
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Each booking must include at least one adult.
FAQs about Secret Loch Ness, Inverness, Culloden, Cawdor Castle from port
Can I cancel Secret Loch Ness, Inverness, Culloden, Cawdor Castle from port for free?
Yes. For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the start time.
How long does it take?
It takes about 6–8 hours.
Where does it start?
If docking at Invergordon pier disembark cruise ship, walk 2 minutes to the harbour gates, Invergordon IV180EH.
What's included?
- Entrance to castle cost is included in your booking price.
Which places does it visit?
It visits Cawdor Castle, Loch Ness, Inverness, Inverness Castle, Clava Cairns, Robertson’s Farm Shop Beauly, Culloden Battlefield, Loch Ness Region.
Which languages is it offered in?
It is offered in English.
Is it suitable for children?
Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Operated by Thistle Excursions - Invergordon Bus or Coach Tours
